This Signature Tour is designed and led by experienced tour leader Tom Orsman.
Our journey on this Imperial pilgrimage begins in Osaka, Japan's vibrant second city. The entrypoint to the heart of Japan for over a thousand years, Osaka remains a home to the best of Japan's modern and traditional culture and cuisine. Downtown Nanba has a unique charm. Traditional temples, gardens and backstreets compete for your attention with modern department stores, amusement arcades and jovial vendors of classic street snacks.
Next we will take a spectacular express train ride and cable car ride up to Mount Koya, a 1,000 year-old settlement of Buddhist monasteries. We will spend the night in temple lodgings with the chance to watch the resident monks chanting sutras at morning prayer.
A vegan-friendly Buddhist breakfast will be followed by a private bus ride through the mountains of the Kii peninsula. A professional guide will lead us on a two hour walk along the pilgrim trail to Hongu Taisha, a sacred spot in Japan's ancient Shinto religion.
After a night relaxing at our hot-spring lodgings in Yunomine, we begin two full days of hill-trekking along the Kumano, the world heritage status pilgrims trail. We have 3 nights staying at traditional accomodation eating locally-produced food.
The outdoors hot-spring baths on the island-hotel of Nakanoshima will revive our weary bodies, before we set out to the town of Ise, home to the Shrine of the Sun Goddess - an annual pilgrimage spot for millions of Japanese.
We will have time to explore and get off the beaten track in Ise's National Park to visit isolated coastal communities and share grilled seafood with women pearl divers.
Ninjas, a world-renowned haiku poet and a Samurai period castle await us in a stop-off at Iga-Ueno before we arrive in Kyoto, the home of Japanese culture, and the capital of Japan for over 1,000 years. We would need 1,000 years to see all the sights here, so we will just focus on the best ones.
The last day is a chance to visit the nearby town of Nara, a former capital of Japan, full of 5 star attractions. We will meet back in Kyoto for a final night feast of Kyoto cuisine by the Kamogawa river.
Tom's comments
"Emperors' Footsteps" starts and finishes in cities - neon Osaka and ancient Kyoto - that contrast Japan's modern and traditional aspects. The beauty of this tour is its diversity and I am excited at the prospect of taking travellers to experience the sights and sounds of rural communities, pulsating cities and coastal villages, visiting sites of huge historical significance along the way. This tour departs in May, when temperatures will be perfect for walking the pilgrimage trail and appreciating its natural mountainous and woodland beauty.
- Meet and Greet on arrival at Osaka Kansai Airport
- All transport between destinations including airport transfers on arrival and departure
- 11 nights’ accommodation
- 7 evening meals and breakfast everyday
- Full time services of your Tour Leader
- Luggage forwarding on 2 occasions
- Geisha district tour by local expert
- Guided tour of first section of Kumano trail
- Tour of Mt. Koya with a local guide
- Inside Japan Tours' complimentary Info-Pack
- International Flights
- Local transport at any destination
- Any entrance fees, including those for shrines, temples and museums
- Baggage handling – you will be expected to carry your own bags for the duration of the trip
Max Group Size: 14
Single Supplement: There is no single supplement for this tour. Rooming is on a twin/double share basis. Single travellers will have a single room at the first hotel in Osaka, the hotel in Ise and at the last hotel in Kyoto but will be expected to share with another single group member of the same sex throughout the rest of the tour.
Transport: Express and local trains, private and public buses.
Accommodation: The hotels in Osaka, Ise and Kyoto are en-suite. The rooms at the temple lodgings in Koyasan, the island-hotel in Nakanoshima and the ryokan in Yunomine have their own toilets. The two family-run minshuku along the Kumano trail have shared bathrooms and toilets.
International Flights: This tour starts in Osaka and finishes in Kyoto - both cities are within 75 minutes of Kansai Airport.
Please note that the included meet-and-greet and airport transfer to the first hotel is ONLY available up to 2 days in advance of the tour, providing any extra pre-tour nights have been booked through Inside Japan Tours.
Check-in: Please note that rooms at the Osaka hotel are only available from 3pm. (You can however securely leave your luggage at the front desk at any time).
Hiking: The two walks are long-distance and involve steep ascents and descents. They are suitable for reasonably strong walkers in good fitness. Public buses run between our destinations for those who feel unable to complete the walk.
We will forward our main luggage from where our trek starts to the lodgings where we finish the trek two days later. For this two day trek, you will need a backpack to carry a pack-lunch and change of clothing.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1 Osaka
Our tour starts in Osaka, the biggest city in central Japan. Your tour leader will be at Osaka Kansai airport to meet you up to two days before the tour begins. For those arriving early, you will have an info-pack full of recommended activities to help you make the best of your time in Japan's second city. Our comfortable modern hotel is in Nanba, just a 35 minute train ride from the airport. Nanba is an incredibly vibrant and lively area of the city with the famous Dotonbori restaurant street a short walk from our hotel. On the first evening, we will have a short meeting in the hotel lobby, followed by an included meal nearby. Osaka is known as Japan's kitchen such is the sheer variety of foods and cooking styles. Tonight's included first night meal will be a real feast.
Day 2 Mt Koya
After breakfast, we will forward our main luggage to Yunomine Onsen. We will need an overnight bag / backpack for our stay at Koya-san. A stunning express train ride this morning will take us out of the city, through the countryside, and then up into the remote hills of Mount Koya. After arrival, a local guide will take us on an afternoon tour of Koya-san`s impressive monastic complex: the home of Shingon Buddhism, Japan`s 1,200 year old religion. Our peaceful temple lodgings are a great place to unwind in the evening, a world away from the neon frenzy of Osaka. Our included dinner tonight will contain no animal-products, just plenty of innovative dishes, unique to Japanese Buddhist cuisine.
Day 3 Yunomine Onsen
Early-risers will have the chance to sit with the monks at Morning Prayer. We will have breakfast at the temple before taking a private bus to Hongu, the heart of the Kumano pilgrimage trail. An experienced local guide will lead us on a 2 hour walk, starting at Hosshinmon-oji (the gate of awakening of the aspiration for enlightenment) – an ideal start to our pilgrims trail, and a perfect warm-up for the main hikes tomorrow and the day after. We will see the main shrine at Hongu before moving onto our accommodation. An invigorating onsen (hot-spring bath) awaits us at our smart traditional lodgings. An included banquet of local dishes will provide us with all the nourishment we need for our long walk tomorrow.
Day 4 Koguchi
We will forward our main luggage this morning to Nachi where we stay tomorrow night. After a traditional Japanese breakfast, we head for the hills on a spectacular full-day hike on the 1,000 year-old Nakahechi trail. Following the footsteps of Emperors and samurai, we won`t pass much modern civilization along the route today; the views have changed little in 1,000 years. Unfortunately, unlike the Emperors, we will have to carry our own packed lunch. Our 15km walk starts slightly above sea-level; we gradually ascend to a peak of around 400 metres, before descending towards sea-level again. We have an included dinner at our rural riverside lodgings tonight.
Day 5 Nachi
Our walk begins after breakfast today. We have a 15km walk to Nachi Shrine, the end of our pilgrims` trail. Estimated walking time today is 5-6 hours, this does not include breaks. Starting at around 50 metres above sea-level, we will gradually ascend to a peak of 900 metres, before descending to Nachi, at 300 metres. The stunning views at the ancient shrine at Nachi, built next to the tallest waterfall in Japan, will be a well-earned reward for our exertions today. We will stay at a nearby minshuku (a traditional guesthouse) where we can restore our strength with a hot bath and a traditional dinner.
Day 6 Kii Katsura
After a leisurely breakfast, we will have some time for sightseeing around Nachi before we take a private bus to the port of Katsuura, home to our spectacular sea-side lodgings. Today you can choose to relax and take it easy in our luxurious island-hotel accommodation; or you could visit a nearby whaling port, try sea-kayaking or swimming with dolphins. Our hotel tonight is perched on the edge of the Kuroshio, reputed to be the fastest sea current in the world. Our included meal tonight is sure to include some of its freshest plunder.
Day 7 Ise
Katsuura is famous for its tuna market; early-risers may be able to catch this before we leave. We have a 3 hour train journey today through rural Mie prefecture. In the afternoon, we will visit Ise`s prime attraction, the shrine of Japan`s supreme deity: the Sun goddess. We will have free time to explore the traditional shops and sites in this historic seaside pilgrimage town. We are staying in a comfortable western-style hotel tonight.
Day 8 Ise
Ise is part of a huge national park; there are numerous options for exploring today. Join the tour leader on a trip to a village community to see the famed lady pearl divers of Ise. Other optional activities include the chance to hike 7km to the nearby peak of Mount Asama, or visit Meotoiwa, the two lone rocks in the ocean wedded with sacred rope in a traditional Shinto marriage.
Day 9 Kyoto
After breakfast, a private bus will take us to the town of Iga, home to one of Japan`s leading ninja schools, a stone-wall samurai-period castle and the hometown of Matsuo Basho, a 17th century haiku poet who famously wrote about a frog jumping into a pond. We will spend a few hours exploring here. Grilled skewers of soybean-coated tofu are recommended for those eager to try local cuisine. Later, we will meet up for the bus journey onto our riverside hotel in Kyoto. Our hotel in Kyoto has a superb central location for exploring day-time and night-time attractions.
Day 10 Kyoto
Window seats are recommended for our included viking (buffet) breakfast at our Kyoto hotel – the views over the historic Higashiyama district are stunning. Kyoto, the capital for over 1,000 years, is the heart and home of traditional Japanese culture. Your tour leader will lead a trip today to take in some of the highlights of this amazing city. In the early evening, a local geisha expert will take us on guided walk around the geisha district. After the guided tour, we have an included dinner by the turbulent waters of the legendary Kamo river.
Day 11 Kyoto
After breakfast, your tour leader will lead an optional trip to the nearby town of Nara, a compact version of Kyoto, and its predecessor as capital of Japan 1,300 years ago. We will see sacred deer in Nara park, walk along the stone lantern lined pathway to Kasuga Shrine and visit the monumental Todaiji temple, perhaps the most breathtaking man-made site in Japan. We will return to Kyoto in time for our final group dinner.
Day 12 Depart
We arrive at the end of the tour this morning. Your tour leader will provide you with the tickets and guidance you need to get to Kansai airport, an 80 minute direct train ride away.
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Photos
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Pricing Information
| 2012 | |
| Tour Price: | £2150 |
| Single Supplement: | £0 |
| Extra Nights | |
| Pre-Tour: | Twin Share pp £50 Single pp £60 |
| Post-Tour: | Twin Share pp £70 Single pp £100 |
Accommodation
Dotonbori Hotel
Osaka
Business Hotel
Fudoin Shukubo
Mt Koya
Minshuku (JP)
Yunomine Ryokan Azumaya
Yunomine Onsen
Ryokan (JP)
Koguchi Shizen-no-ie
Koguchi
Minshuku (JP)
Nachi Mitaki Sanso
Nachi
Minshuku (JP)
Kii Katsura Nakanoshima Hotel
Kii Katsura
Japanese Style
Ise Pearl Pier Hotel
Ise
Moderate Hotel
Hotel Sunroute Kyoto
Kyoto
Moderate Hotel
| Tour Dates | |||||||
| Tour Starts | Tour Disbands | Price | Status | ||||
| 2012 | |||||||
| 22 Oct 2012 | 02 Nov 2012 | £2150 | NOW BOOKING |
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| 2013 | |||||||
| Currently there are no departures available for this year. Please contact us using the enquiy form or call us - UK (0)117 370 9740 / USA 303 952 0184 | |||||||
- Meet and Greet on arrival at Osaka Kansai Airport
- All transport between destinations including airport transfers on arrival and departure
- 11 nights’ accommodation
- 7 evening meals and breakfast everyday
- Full time services of your Tour Leader
- Luggage forwarding on 2 occasions
- Geisha district tour by local expert
- Guided tour of first section of Kumano trail
- Tour of Mt. Koya with a local guide
- Inside Japan Tours' complimentary Info-Pack
- International Flights
- Local transport at any destination
- Any entrance fees, including those for shrines, temples and museums
- Baggage handling – you will be expected to carry your own bags for the duration of the trip
Max Group Size: 14
Single Supplement: There is no single supplement for this tour. Rooming is on a twin/double share basis. Single travellers will have a single room at the first hotel in Osaka, the hotel in Ise and at the last hotel in Kyoto but will be expected to share with another single group member of the same sex throughout the rest of the tour.
Transport: Express and local trains, private and public buses.
Accommodation: The hotels in Osaka, Ise and Kyoto are en-suite. The rooms at the temple lodgings in Koyasan, the island-hotel in Nakanoshima and the ryokan in Yunomine have their own toilets. The two family-run minshuku along the Kumano trail have shared bathrooms and toilets.
International Flights: This tour starts in Osaka and finishes in Kyoto - both cities are within 75 minutes of Kansai Airport.
Please note that the included meet-and-greet and airport transfer to the first hotel is ONLY available up to 2 days in advance of the tour, providing any extra pre-tour nights have been booked through Inside Japan Tours.
Check-in: Please note that rooms at the Osaka hotel are only available from 3pm. (You can however securely leave your luggage at the front desk at any time).
Hiking: The two walks are long-distance and involve steep ascents and descents. They are suitable for reasonably strong walkers in good fitness. Public buses run between our destinations for those who feel unable to complete the walk.
We will forward our main luggage from where our trek starts to the lodgings where we finish the trek two days later. For this two day trek, you will need a backpack to carry a pack-lunch and change of clothing.
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-2010.jpg "The Guardian, The Observer - Travel Awards 2010 Winner - Best tour operator (small)")
.jpg "Inside Japan Tours - Silver at the British Travel Awards 2009")
